Vibration isolation of electronics and/or components

ABSTRACT

Implementations of the present invention relate to devices, systems, and methods for isolating electronic components from input vibrations. The vibration isolation device may passively isolate the housed electronics from substantially all input vibrations. The vibration isolation device may include elastic members to suspend the electronic components within a support frame such that input vibrations are unable to directly influence the electronic components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/577,518, filed Dec. 19, 2014, and entitled VIBRATION ISOLATION OFELECTRONICS AND/OR COMPONENTS, which claims priority to and the benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/919,402, filed Dec. 20,2013, and entitled VIBRATION ISOLATION OF ELECTRONICS, the disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. The Field of the Invention

Generally, this disclosure relates to vibration isolation. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, andmethods regarding the vibrational isolation of electronic devices and/orcomponents.

2. Background and Relevant Art

Electronic devices and components are prevalent in consumer, commercial,and industrial settings. Electronic devices and components are used inan increasing number of applications, and therefore, are exposed to alarger variety of adverse conditions on a regular basis. Electronicdevices are no longer a carefully protected commodity, expected to failat the first exposure to adverse conditions; rather, electronics are nowexpected to survive situations including remote locations, challengingweather, use in and around heavy machinery, and even militaryoperations. However, at the same time, electronics have become smallerand lighter with finer wires and much denser concentrations ofcomponents. Because the electronics are more susceptible to physicaldamage, and because of the greater reliance on electronics functioningin all conditions, there is an increasing need to provide a protectivehousing to isolate electronic components from mechanical damage, such asdue to vibration.

Vibration can damage electronic components due to repeated accelerationand deceleration of the materials over long periods of time. Vibrationissues for electronic systems may include cracking or degeneration ofcircuit contacts, loosening of electrical connections, arcing damage,false operation or “bouncing” of relay contacts or thermostat contactsdisrupting normal system operation, dust generation that may interferewith sensitive circuitry or with heat dissipation from electronics,internal stress or metal fatigue to electronic parts, head crashes onplaten storage media, or even simple abrasion damage. For example,electronic components used to operate modern rock crushing equipmentexperience extremely harsh conditions and may serve as an approximate“worst-case scenario.” The electronics mounted on the rock crushingequipment are exposed to nearly continual low frequency, very highamplitude vibrations that can easily shake components loose from theelectronics themselves or from the surrounding housing that may thendamage the sensitive electronics.

Attempts have been made in the past to isolate the on-board electronicsof heavy machinery from vibration and/or harmonics. One approach hasbeen to simply remove the electronics from the source of the vibrationon the machinery (e.g., place the electronics on the ground away fromthe vibration source). Having a detachable assembly effectively“decouples” the transmission path of the vibrations from the source ofthe vibrations, such as the rock crushing equipment, and the electronicshousing by anchoring the electronics housing on some other surface, suchas the ground. However, this detachable assembly has significantdrawbacks. The electronics assembly may itself be a large component ofthe system and removal by hand may not be feasible, demanding additionalequipment that requires time and resources to manufacture, maintain, andoperate. A mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic system intended todecouple the electronic components from the transmission path of thevibrations may be subjected to the same harsh vibrations, thereby merelyexchanging one problem for another problem as the mechanical, hydraulic,or pneumatic system intended to prevent damage to the electroniccomponents would be susceptible to damage and need repairs, which woulddemand time and resources.

Furthermore, a mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic system implemented toremove electronic components from the heavy machinery would only beimplemented if the electronic components themselves are too heavy for anoperator to remove by hand, in which case the removal system wouldlikely need to be large and heavy, itself. While adding a large, heavyelectronics removal system may be a small relative change in weight toan already heavy machine, it is desirable to limit the weight added, ifpossible.

Additionally, a mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic system used toremove the heavy electronic components from the source and isolating theelectronics housing, for example, against the ground requires threeassumptions. First, the ground is not the source of the vibrations. Inmany construction, extraction, or excavation applications, the earthitself is a transmitter of the vibrations. For example, for equipmentsuch as a thumper truck, removing the electronic components to theground is not a viable option. Thumper trucks are used as a seismicsource for seismic surveys. Seismic surveys are commonly used in theextractive industries and to research subsurface formations. A thumpertruck accelerates a large mass toward the ground. The resulting impactsends a powerful shockwave through both the truck and the earthsurrounding the impact location. Removal of the electronic componentsfrom the vehicle to the ground would, of course, be ineffectual in suchan application. Second, the vibrations must be present only when theassociated machinery is stationary. In the case of excavation equipment,such as a bulldozer or loader, vibrations are generated during motion ofthe machinery. For that reason, electronic components must remainon-board the machinery to allow proper operation. Third, the applicationfor which the machinery is designed must not require transit over unevensurfaces. The electronic components are susceptible to damage even whenthe machinery is not in operation. Many applications require travel overrough roads or over areas that have no roads. It would be desirable toisolate electronic components from vibrations at all times.

Passive vibration isolation devices have been attempted to isolateelectronic components from vibrational damage. Bushings, and inparticular automotive motor mounts, have been employed, for example, inrock crushing machinery with little success. Again, the vibrationscreated by the machinery tend to be low-frequency, high amplitudevibrations. Therefore, any bushings would need to be soft and allow witha high amount of compliance to ensure the vibrational motion of theelectronics, or alternatively the support to which the electronicsmount, does not exceed the limits of the bushings. Unfortunately, havinga very heavy and very costly (in the case of rock crushing machineryelectronics a half-ton, $30,000 object) placed upon very soft, highlycompliant mounts is undesirable.

Manufacturers have also employed spring mounts, but spring mountsrequire extensive damping for use in vibrational applications. Springs,undamped, will transfer the vibrations and run the risk of amplifyingthe vibrations when near resonance of the system. To create a systemwith a long period that would not resonate with the input vibrations, amanufacturer may include soft springs with a low spring constant.However, such a spring would require more distance to travel, andcreates the aforementioned problem of placing a 1,000 pound (“lb.”)object on a soft mount. To address this problem, one could add springs,which would increase the restoring force for a given displacement of theelectronics housing, but as one increases the stiffness of the springs,the duration of the resonant period shortens. Therefore, damping of thesystem becomes necessary again.

Rock crushing equipment is not the only example, however, as much heavymachinery may generate similar vibrations that could potentially damageelectronic components, such as construction equipment, excavationequipment, extraction equipment, or truck, rail, or air transport.Furthermore, consumers are increasingly harsh and demanding on theirpersonal electronics, while simultaneously become more dependent uponthem. Therefore, the hard drive in a laptop is consequently morevulnerable and more valuable.

Consumer applications may be more challenging, as the variety ofconditions to which consumers subject their personal electronics may beless predictable than the conditions in which commercial or industrialmachinery is operated. Consumer applications may need vibrationaldampening that operates in a large range of conditions, orientations,and dimensions. For example, while the vibrations experienced by rockcrushing machinery are fairly predictable in frequency, amplitude, anddirection, the vibrations encountered by a consumer laptop may be due toa constant high frequency vibration of a jet turbine engine during airtravel, or a single large amplitude impact such as dropping the deviceon the floor in an inverted position.

It is therefore desirable to vibrationally isolate the electroniccomponents of a device cheaply and reliably from a wide range of shocksfrom many directions.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Implementations of the present disclosure address one or more of theforegoing or other problems in the art with devices, systems, andmethods for vibrational isolation of electronic components. Inparticular, implementations of the present disclosure related tovibrational isolation of electronic components from input vibrations dueto machinery.

In an embodiment, a vibration isolation device may comprise an isolatedmember that houses the electronics to be isolated from input vibrations.The isolated member may then be disposed within a support frame andsuspended by elastic members connected thereto. The elastic members maycomprise the same type of material or different elastic members maycomprise different materials. The elastic members may be disposed onsubstantially opposing sides of the isolated member to prevent swayingor twisting of the isolated member and damp down oscillations of theisolated member.

In a further embodiment, the vibration isolation device may comprise aretention device such that the isolated member may be substantiallyfixed relative to the support frame. The retention device may comprise apre-tensioning device that also allows for selective pre-tensioning ofthe elastic members during operation.

In another embodiment, the vibration isolation device may comprise anisolated member and a support frame. The isolated member may beconnected to the support frame by a plurality of elastic members, witheach of the elastic members applying a force to the isolated member. Theforce applied by each elastic member to the isolated member may bedecomposed into its constituent vectors. Each elastic member may apply aforce having a vector that substantially opposes the vector of a forceapplied by another elastic member.

In a further embodiment, the elastic members may be disposedsymmetrically. In another embodiment, the elastic members may bedisposed with symmetry displaying at least two reflection planes, atleast three reflection planes, or inversion symmetry.

In yet another embodiment, a method of vibrationally isolatingelectronic components is provided. A method may comprise housingelectronic components in an isolated member, the isolated memberdisposed within a support frame, and the isolated member connected tothe support frame with a plurality of elastic members. The elasticmembers may be configured to apply forces having vectors at least about90° apart. The method may further comprise applying an input vibrationto the support frame and then absorbing at least a part of the inputvibration.

Additional features of the disclosure will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments. Thefeatures of such embodiments may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims. These and other features will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, or may belearned by the practice of such embodiments as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otherfeatures of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particulardescription will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For betterunderstanding, the like elements have been designated by like referencenumbers throughout the various accompanying figures. While some of thedrawings may be schematic or exaggerated representations of concepts, atleast some of the drawings may be drawn to scale. Understanding that thedrawings depict some example embodiments, the embodiments will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective schematic view of a vibration isolation deviceaccording to the present application in which the isolated member issupported by a partially non-elastic member and is accessible duringoperation, according to at least one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 1B is a perspective schematic view of a vibration isolation deviceaccording to the present application in which the isolated member issupported by an elastic member and accessible during operation,according to at least one embodiment described herein

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of another vibration isolationdevice according to the present application in which the vibrationisolation is irrespective of orientation, according to at least oneembodiment described herein;

FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of yet another vibrationisolation device according to the present application in which thevibration isolation is irrespective of orientation, according to atleast one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of the vibration isolation deviceof FIG. 2 further comprising a retention device, according to at leastone embodiment described herein;

FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of the vibration isolation deviceof FIG. 2 further comprising an extension mechanism, according to atleast one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic view of a vibration isolation deviceaccording to the present application in which a plurality of isolatedmembers are disposed within a support frame and connected to oneanother, according to at least one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another vibration isolation device forvibrationally isolating a plurality of electronic control housings,according to at least one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a vibration isolation device forvibrationally isolating a plurality of electronic control housingsmounted to a rock crushing machine, according to at least one embodimentdescribed herein; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of vibrational isolation ofelectronic components, according to at least one embodiment describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. These described embodiments are examples of thepresently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide aconcise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actualimplementation may be described in the specification. It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean thatthere are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.Additionally, it should be understood that references to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to vibrationisolation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices,systems, and methods regarding the vibrational isolation of electronicdevices or components. While the following examples may highlightapplications in heavy machinery, embodiments according the presentapplication are not so limited. Embodiments disclosed herein may beadapted for scale and forces of differing applications without deviatingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics described herein.

The challenge of vibration isolation may require the balancing of threecompeting goals. First, ideal vibration isolation may allow forsufficient displacement of the isolated component such that any energydue to input vibrations may be dissipated without harsh acceleration ofthe isolated component. Similarly, there may be sufficient displacementcapable to ensure the isolated component does not interact directly withany mounting hardware or surrounding environment, thus negating anyvibration isolation. Second, ideal vibration isolation may allow for thecontinuous application of force such that no sudden application of forcecauses additional acceleration. For example, any support provided to anisolated component may avoid a discontinuous force curve. Finally, thevibration isolation may provide damping to prevent any resonance withthe input vibrations.

In some embodiments, these three considerations may be sufficientlyaddressed by suspending an electronic component using elastic memberssuch that the electronic component becomes an isolated member in contactwith the surrounding structure exclusively by the elastic members. Theelastic suspension members may connect the isolated member to asurrounding support frame such that the isolated member is freelysuspended above and/or away from all surfaces. The elastic suspensionmembers may have sufficient compliance and a relatively low elasticmodulus (e.g., less than that of the support frame) to ensure that theisolated member is not subjected to high acceleration from the inputvibrations on the support frame. For example, the elastic suspensionmembers and/or elastic dampening members may comprise nitrile rubber,butyl rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomerrubber, gum rubber, polyethylene rubber, latex rubber, neoprene rubberpolyurethane, santoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, siliconerubber, vinyl rubber, fluoroelastomer rubber, other elastic compound, orcombinations thereof.

Elastic dampening members may be disposed around the isolated membersuch that the isolated member may resist swaying or resonant motion fromthe input vibrations. For example, the elastic members may be elasticcords, elastic straps, elastic belting strips, or elastic panels. Inparticular, elastic dampening members may be used in applications whichrequire frequent transport of the isolated electronic components or forapplications in which the device may be subjected to a constantvibration input for a duration sufficient to produce resonant motion.Furthermore, the elastic suspension members and the elastic dampeningmembers may dissipate energy upon extension and contraction to damp downoscillations in the device. As used herein to describe and referencefigures, like reference characters may refer to like structures.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a vibration isolation device 100 maycomprise an isolated member 102 such as a housing configured for thehousing of electronic equipment therein. The embodiments illustrated inand elements described in relation to FIGS. 1A and 1B are examplecombinations of such elements, but contemplated combinations should notbe considered inclusive of all recited elements or exclusive ofadditional elements. Additional embodiments may describe additionalelements, which may be combined with elements of any other embodimentdescribed herein. The isolated member 102 may be supported by a supportframe 104 that comprises at least one side support 106 and a top support108. The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B are designed to allowaccess to the isolated member 102 that houses the electronic components,and therefore, the support frame 104 is shown with only two sidesupports 106; however, the support frame 104 may have more than two sidesupports 106.

The isolated member 102 may be suspended from the top support 108 by oneor more elastic suspension members 110. The one or more elasticsuspension members 110 may include a non-elastic portion, as shown inFIG. 1A, or may connect the isolated member 102 to the top support 108directly, as shown in FIG. 1B. An elastic suspension member 110 having anon-elastic portion, such as the chains depicted in FIG. 1A, may allowthe vibration isolation device 100 to accommodate isolated members 102of varying dimensions (e.g., isolated members 102 of differing heights)without altering the one or more elastic suspension members 110. The oneor more elastic suspension members 110 may comprise a material with anappropriate elastic modulus such that when the isolated member 102 issuspended therefrom, the isolated member 102 is suspended approximatelyin the center of the support frame 104. For example, the one or moreelastic suspension members 110 may comprise a material having a lowerelastic modulus (i.e., a material that is more elastic) than the supportframe. The one or more elastic suspension members 110 may compriserubber, such as nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber,ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, gum rubber, polyethylenerubber, latex rubber, neoprene rubber polyurethane, santoprene rubber,styrene-butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, vinyl rubber, fluoroelastomerrubber; other elastomer compounds; textile materials; leather; metals;or combinations thereof. The equilibrium position may be the position towhich the device 100 restores the isolated member 102 after applicationof input vibrations through the support frame 104 or any otherdisplacement of the isolated member 102. After displacement of theisolated member 102, the isolated member 102 may be restored to theequilibrium position at least partially by one or more elastic dampeningmembers 112.

In some embodiments, the elastic dampening members 112 may apply a netzero force on the isolated member 102 such that the elastic dampeningmembers 112 themselves will not move the isolated member 102 from theequilibrium position, but may apply a net force to the isolated member102 when the isolated member 102 is displaced from the equilibriumposition. For example, one or more of the elastic dampening members 112may apply no force to the isolated member 102 when the isolated member102 is in the equilibrium position, while one or more of the elasticdampening members 112 may experience a tension force, and hence apply anopposing force, when the isolated member 102 displaces from theequilibrium position.

In other embodiments, the elastic dampening members 112 may each apply aforce to the isolated member 102, the force applied by each elasticdampening member 112 having a vector component substantially opposing avector component of a force applied by another elastic dampening member112. For example, one or more of the elastic dampening members 112 mayexperience a tension force, and hence apply an opposing force, when theisolated member 102 is in the equilibrium position. In such an example,the force applied by an elastic dampening member 112 may be at leastpartially balanced by an opposing force applied by another elasticdampening member 112 and/or another elastic suspension member 110. Inyet other embodiments, the elastic dampening members 112 and the elasticsuspension members 110 are configured such that at least two of theelastic dampening members 112 and elastic suspension members 110 applytension forces to the isolated member 102 having vectors at least about90° apart. For example, two elastic dampening members 112 may bepositioned between and connect the isolated member 102 and the supportframe 104. The two elastic dampening members 112 may experience tensionforces when the isolated member 102 is in an equilibrium position, and adirection of the tension forces may be approximately 180° from oneanother.

Similarly to the elastic suspension members 110, elastic dampeningmembers 112 may comprise any material with an appropriate elasticmodulus such that the isolated member 102 may displace within thesupport frame 104 without its position substantially exceeding thedimensions of support frame 104. For example, the elastic dampeningmembers 112 may comprises rubber, such as nitrile rubber, butyl rubber,epichlorohydrin rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, gumrubber, polyethylene rubber, latex rubber, neoprene rubber polyurethane,santoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, vinylrubber, fluoroelastomer rubber; other elastomer compounds; textilematerials; leather; metals; or combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the one or more elastic suspension members 110 may comprisethe same material as the one or more elastic dampening members 112. Inother embodiments, the one or more elastic suspension members 110 maycomprise different materials from the one or more elastic dampeningmembers 112.

In an embodiment, elastic suspension members 110 and elastic dampeningmembers 112 may comprise elastic cords. In a further embodiment, elasticsuspension members 110 and elastic dampening members 112 may comprisesheathed elastic cords, commercially known as BUNGEE cords. Inembodiments with sheathed elastic cords as at least one of the elasticdampening members 112, the sheathed elastic cords may vary in thicknessor diameter. For example, in some embodiments, the sheathed elasticcords may be about one inch in diameter or may exceed one inch indiameter. In yet another embodiment, the elastic suspension members 110and elastic dampening members 112 may comprise elastic sheets, theelastic sheets providing substantially equal force along the length oftheir connection to the support frame 104 and to the isolated member102. For example, an elastic sheet may connect the isolated member 102along a length of one or more side supports 106 and/or top support 108.The elastic sheet may connect the isolated member 102 to the top supportalong a length of the top support 108 that is a percentage of the fulllength of the isolated member 102. In some embodiments, an elastic sheetmay connect the isolated member 102 to a side support 106 or top support108 along a percentage of the length of the isolated member 102 in arange having upper and lower values including any of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%,50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, or any value therebetween. For example,an elastic sheet may connect the isolated member 102 to a top support108 along between 50% and 100% of a full length of the isolated member102. In other examples, an elastic sheet may connect the isolated member102 to a top support 108 along between 60% and 90% of a full length ofthe isolated member 102. In yet other examples, an elastic sheet mayconnect the isolated member 102 to a top support 108 along between 70%and 85% of a full length of the isolated member 102.

Elastic dampening members 112 may also provide a net force on theisolated member 102 such that a second equilibrium position may becreated after the elastic dampening members 112 are connected to theisolated member 102 and the support frame 104. For example, the elasticdampening members 112 may provide a net force downward from the firstequilibrium position, such that the second equilibrium position is lowerrelative to the top support 108. When the isolated member 102 is in anequilibrium position, the elastic dampening members 112 may experience atension force such that each elastic dampening member 112 applies aforce to the isolated member 102. The forces applied by the elasticdampening members 112 may be balanced by other elastic dampening members112, by the elastic suspension members 110, by a gravitational force(not depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B), or by another force. In anembodiment, the elastic dampening members 112 may be disposed with atleast two planes of symmetry. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and1B, there may be two vertical planes of symmetry disposed at 90° fromone another. In another embodiment, the elastic dampening members 112may be disposed with inversion symmetry about the center of the isolatedmember 102. For example, a plurality of elastic dampening members 112may be positioned around the isolated member 102 and connecting theisolated member 102 and the support frame 104 such that each elasticdampening member 112 is in line with another elastic dampening member112 on an opposing side of the isolated member 102. In yet anotherembodiment, the elastic dampening members 112 may be disposed with atleast three planes of symmetry.

With the elastic dampening members 112 under tension at the equilibriumposition, an input vibration applied to the support frame 104 maydisplace the isolated member 102 from the equilibrium position relativeto the support frame 104 and the net force on the isolated member 102may change linearly and/or continuously. The elastic dampening members112 may be disposed such that the isolated member 102 may displacerelative to the support frame 104 without any of the elastic dampeningmembers 112 becoming slack. A slack elastic dampening member 112 mayresult in a discontinuous force curve during displacement of theisolated member 102 from the equilibrium position. A discontinuous forcecurve may result in undesirable or unnecessary vibration in the isolatedmember 102. To ensure the isolated member 102 of device 100 is restoredto its equilibrium point with minimal twisting and/or swaying, theelastic dampening members 112 may further comprise upper dampeningmembers having a modulus of elasticity greater than a modulus ofelasticity of lower dampening members to generate similar forces on theisolated member 102 when a lower portion of the isolated member 102displaces more than a upper portion. In some embodiments, the upperdampening members may differ in modulus of elasticity relative to oneanother.

In some embodiments, the input vibration may have a frequency greaterthan about 40 Hertz (Hz), such as when the device 100 is subjected tovibrations during transportation. In other embodiments, the inputvibration may have a frequency less than about 40 Hz, such as when thedevice 100 is subjected to vibrations due to a heavy machinery motor. Inyet other embodiments, the input vibration may have a frequency lessthan about 15 Hz, such as when the device 100 is subjected to vibrationsfrom a rock crusher motor and/or during crushing of rock.

The restoring force after a displacement of the isolated member 102 maybe at least partially dependent on the force applied by the elasticdampening members 112. The portion of the restoring force due to theelastic dampening members 112, when the elastic dampening members 112are under tension at the equilibrium position, may be the net force ofthe elastic dampening members 112 applied to the isolated member 102. Inthe embodiments depicted in the FIGS. 1A and 1B, a lateral displacementtoward one of the side supports 106 may result in an increase in theforce applied by one or more of the elastic dampening members 112 and anassociated decrease in the force applied by one or more of the elasticdampening members 112 positioned on the opposing side of the isolatedmember 102. Conversely, therefore, the transmission of force and/orenergy from the support frame 104 to the isolated member 102 is lowestwhen the isolated member 102 remains at the equilibrium point. Wheninput vibrations enter the device 100 at the support frame 104, thevibrations may move the support frame 104 with little transmission ofthe vibrations to the isolated member 102 at the equilibrium point.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a vibration isolation device 100 intended for usein a mobile rock crushing machine, and therefore, the orientation of thedevice 100 is known and access to the isolated member 102 is necessaryfor the operation of the machinery. However, other embodiments of thepresent disclosure are possible in other applications in which access tothe isolated member 102 during operation is unnecessary.

FIG. 2 depicts a vibration isolation device 200 for use in anapplication that may not require access to the isolated member 202during exposure to vibrations. The embodiment illustrated in andelements described in relation to FIG. 2 are example combinations ofsuch elements, but contemplated combinations should not be consideredinclusive of all recited elements or exclusive of additional elements.Additional embodiments may describe additional elements, which may becombined with elements of any other embodiment described herein. Anexample of such an application may be the vibrational isolation of a“black box” recorder in a transportation vehicle such as an airplane. Insuch an application, the vibration source may be air turbulence,vibration from taxiing across a surface, or vibration from operation ofthe engines or other machinery on the aircraft. Therefore, there is nota predetermined direction to the vibration, and the device 200 may beconfigured to vibrationally isolate the isolated member 202 from anydirection.

Because the isolated member 202 may not need to be accessed duringroutine operation, the vibration isolation device 200 may have a supportframe 204 that encompasses the isolated member 202 with support framesides 206 surrounding all sides of the isolated member 202. The supportframe sides 206 and/or support frames 204, which may or may not be solidsides and/or frames, may meet at frame corners 208. For example, thesupport frames 204 may have apertures formed therein. The apertures maybe elliptical, polygonal, otherwise shaped, or combinations thereof. Insome embodiments, the elastic suspension members 210 and/or elasticdampening members 212 may connect to the corners of the isolated member202 and the frame corners 208. In other embodiments, the elasticsuspension members 210 and/or elastic dampening members 212 may connectto another part of the support frame 204 between the frame corners 208.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the elastic suspension members210 and the elastic dampening members 212 may be the same material. Thedevice 200 may then dampen vibrations substantially equivalentlyirrespective of orientation of the input vibrations or of the device200. In other embodiments, the device 200 may have a dominantorientation. For example, a flight recorder, while experiencing manyorientations of acceleration and/or vibrations during use, mayexperience much greater acceleration in particular orientations.Therefore, the elastic suspension members 210 and elastic dampeningmembers 212 may comprise different materials. Furthermore, the elasticsuspension members 210 and elastic dampening members 212 may comprisedifferent materials based on their orientation. For example, as depictedin FIG. 2, the elastic suspension members 210 may comprise a materialwith a higher modulus of elasticity than the elastic dampening members212 because the elastic suspension members 210 may be responsible forsuspending the mass of the isolated member 202, while the elasticdampening members 212 may be responsible exclusively for preventingswaying and/or motion of the isolated member 202.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the elastic suspension members 210 and elasticdampening members 212 are connected to the frame corners 208 and to theisolated member 202. The elastic suspension members 210 and elasticdampening members 212 are connected to the isolated member 202 at thecorners of the isolated member 202. Connecting the elastic suspensionmembers 210 and elastic dampening members 212 to corners of the isolatedmember 202 may apply a greater torque on the isolated member 202.Therefore, the acceleration of the isolated member 202 due to theelastic suspension members 210 and elastic dampening members 212 may befine-tuned by the placement of the elastic suspension members 210 andelastic dampening members 212.

For example, the elastic suspension members 210 and elastic dampeningmembers 212, depending on orientation, may need to suspend more or lessof the weight of the isolated member 202. In an application with anisolated member 202 having a lower mass, the elastic suspension members210 and elastic dampening members 212 may have a lower elastic modulusbecause they need to suspend less weight. However, decreasing theelastic modulus of the elastic suspension members 210 and elasticdampening members 212 would also affect the rate at which inputvibrations are transmitted to the isolated member 202. Moving theconnection of the elastic suspension members 210 and elastic dampeningmembers 212 with the isolated member 202 further from the center ofinertia of the isolated member 202 will provide greater torque on theisolated member 202 to maintain its orientation within the support frame204.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment in which vibration isolation device 300 hasan analogous isolated member 302 and support frame 304 with supportsides 306, which meet at frame corners 308. (Support sides 306 aretransparent for the purposes of FIG. 3.) The embodiment illustrated inand elements described in relation to FIG. 3 are example combinations ofsuch elements, but contemplated combinations should not be consideredinclusive of all recited elements or exclusive of additional elements.Additional embodiments may describe additional elements, which may becombined with elements of any other embodiment described herein.However, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the elastic suspensionmembers 310 and elastic dampening members 312 are disposed in the centerof the isolated member faces 314 and at the isolated member corners 316,respectively. The elastic suspension members 310 and elastic dampeningmembers 312 may have different moduli of elasticity, as well. Forexample, the elastic suspension members 310 may have a higher modulus ofelasticity than the elastic dampening members 312 such that the elasticsuspension members suspend the mass of the isolated member 302 at theisolated member faces 314 and the elastic dampening members 312 applytorque to the isolated member corners 316. The vibration isolationdevice 300 depicted in FIG. 3 may have similar or identical vibrationisolation properties irrespective of the orientation at which the device300 is mounted.

Referring now to FIG. 4, yet another embodiment of a vibration isolationdevice 400 is depicted. The embodiment illustrated in and elementsdescribed in relation to FIG. 4 are example combinations of suchelements, but contemplated combinations should not be consideredinclusive of all recited elements or exclusive of additional elements.Additional embodiments may describe additional elements, which may becombined with elements of any other embodiment described herein. For thepurposes of FIG. 4, vibration isolation device 400 is depicted having ananalogous structure to device 200 shown in FIG. 2, but may comprise ananalogous structure to any of the embodiments described herein orcombinations thereof. The vibration isolation device 400 may comprise ananalogous isolated member 402, support frame 404, support sides 406,frame corners 408, and elastic suspension members 410 and elasticdampening members 412. In addition, vibration isolation device 400 maycomprise a retention device 418.

As shown in FIG. 4, the retention device 418 may comprise a deployablebracket that, in a deployed state, may limit or substantially preventmotion of the isolated member 402. The retention device 418 may beselectively deployable or engageable to limit motion of the isolatedmember, for example, during transport of the device 400, when the device400 is not subject to input vibrations, or when movement of the isolatedmember 402 would be undesired. For example, if the isolated member 402comprises components that require maintenance, it may be desirable tofix the isolated member 402 relative to the support frame 404 such thatthe isolated member 402 does not move while a technician attempts toperform maintenance.

The retention device 418 may be a single bracket or, as depicted in FIG.4, a plurality of brackets. In an embodiment, the retention device 418may be a rigid member or a semi-rigid, resilient member. In anotherembodiment, the retention device 418 may be an inflatable member thatmay be selectively inflated to substantially occupy the space betweenthe isolated member 402 and the support frame 404. In yet anotherembodiment, the retention device 418 may comprise a flexible, inelasticmember (relative to the elastic suspension members 410 and/or elasticdampening members 412), such as rope or chain, that may selectivelyconnect the isolated member 402 to the support frame 404 and therebyrestrict the relative movement of the isolated member 402 and thesupport frame 404.

In a further embodiment, the retention device 418 may comprise apre-tensioning device associated with the elastic suspension members 410and/or elastic dampening members 412. By pre-tensioning the elasticsuspension members 410 and/or elastic dampening members 412, theisolated member 402 may be subject to less displacement during transportor maintenance, such that other components may not be necessary.Additionally, the pre-tensioning device may pre-tension the elasticsuspension members 410 and/or elastic dampening members 412 such thatthe isolated member 402 remains at the original equilibrium point, butany restoring force generated due to displacement of the isolated member402 increases, effectively retaining the isolated member 402 withoutaltering any geometry of the device 400.

In a yet further embodiment, a vibration isolation device 500 maycomprise a substantially analogous structure to vibration isolationdevice 200 as depicted in FIG. 5, but also may comprise an analogousstructure to any of the embodiments described herein. The embodimentillustrated in and elements described in relation to FIG. 5 are examplecombinations of such elements, but contemplated combinations should notbe considered inclusive of all recited elements or exclusive ofadditional elements. Additional embodiments may describe additionalelements, which may be combined with elements of any other embodimentdescribed herein. Vibration isolation device 500 may comprise ananalogous isolated member 502, support frame 504, support sides 506,frame corners 508, and elastic suspension members 510 and elasticdampening members 512. In addition, vibration isolation device 500 maycomprise one or more extension mechanisms 520.

Extension mechanisms 520 may allow for greater extension of the elasticsuspension members 510 and elastic dampening members 512 withoutapproaching their elastic limits. It may be undesirable to approach theelastic limit of the elastic suspension members 510 and/or elasticdampening members 512 because near their elastic limit, the elasticsuspension members 510 and/or elastic dampening members 512 will ceaseto behave with a linear elasticity. At which point, the elasticsuspension members 510 and/or elastic dampening members 512 may nolonger effectively isolate the isolated member 502 from inputvibrations. Extension mechanisms 520 may allow use of longer elasticsuspension members 510 and/or elastic dampening members 512, such thatdisplacements of the isolated member 502 remain within the linearelastic deformation range of the elastic suspension members 510 and/orelastic dampening members 512.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the extension mechanisms 520 may be disposed atthe frame corners 508, but may also be disposed at any point at whichthe elastic suspension members 510 and/or elastic dampening members 512may connect to the support frame 504. For example, in the depictedembodiment in FIG. 5, the extension mechanism may be a mechanism thatdirects the elastic suspension members 510 and/or elastic dampeningmembers 512 along a different direction to allow the use of longerelastic suspension members 510 and/or elastic dampening members 512without requiring larger geometry of the device 500. Extension mechanism520 may allow the elastic suspension members 510 and/or elasticdampening members 512 to continue beyond the frame corners 508 andconnect to a further point on the support frame 504, such as mountingpoint 522. In an embodiment, the extension mechanisms 520 may be wheels,such as those depicted in FIG. 5. In another embodiment, the extensionmechanisms 520 may comprise sliders, such as a slider comprisingpolytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, perfluoroalkoxy, fluorinatedethylene propylene, another material having a similarly low coefficientof friction, or combinations thereof configured to allow the elasticsuspension members 510 and/or elastic dampening members 512 to move overits surface with low friction and, therefore, less wear on the elasticsuspension members 510 and/or elastic dampening members 512.

In an embodiment such as that depicted in FIG. 5, extension mechanisms520 may enable the use of elastic suspension members 510 and/or elasticdampening members 512 of two or more times the length of the elasticsuspension members 210 and elastic dampening members 212 of thevibration isolation device 200 as depicted in FIG. 2. Extensionmechanisms 520 may enable vibration isolation device 500 to isolate theisolation member 502 from larger amplitude input vibrations than anembodiment without extension mechanisms 520.

In an embodiment, the extension mechanisms 520 may direct the elasticsuspension members 510 and/or elastic dampening members 512 in adifferent direction without inhibiting the movement of the elasticsuspension members 510 and/or elastic dampening members 512. In anotherembodiment, the extension mechanisms 520 may also comprise a secondarydampening mechanism. The secondary dampening mechanism may also beconfigured to dampen an extension or a contraction of the elasticsuspension members 510 and elastic dampening members 512 past extensionmechanism 520. For example, the extension mechanism 520 depicted in FIG.5 may have a high viscosity lubricant such that the wheel in theextension mechanism 520 turns slowly, inhibiting the movement of theelastic suspension members 510 and elastic dampening members 512 pastthe extension mechanism 520.

In addition to the described embodiments, it may be desirable to isolatemultiple isolated members within a single support frame. As shown inFIG. 6, in an embodiment, a vibration isolation device 600 mayincorporate a first isolated member 602 a and a second isolated member602 b disposed inside a support frame 604 and connected thereto by aplurality of elastic suspension members 610 or elastic dampening members612. The embodiment illustrated in and elements described in relation toFIG. 6 are example combinations of such elements, but contemplatedcombinations should not be considered inclusive of all recited elementsor exclusive of additional elements. Additional embodiments may describeadditional elements, which may be combined with elements of any otherembodiment described herein.

In an embodiment, such as that depicted in FIG. 6, the first and secondisolated members 602 a, 602 b may be connected to one anotherhorizontally via elastic dampening members 612 to dampen thetransmission of vibrations therebetween. In another embodiment, thefirst and second isolated members 602 a, 602 b may be orientatedvertically with respect to one another or the support frame 604. In yetanother embodiment, multiple isolated members may be disposedhorizontally and vertically with respect to one another forming a matrixof isolated members disposed within a support frame. For example, thematrix may have two dimensions, such as a 2×2×1 arrangement(corresponding to an X-Y-Z-directions convention) or a 2×1×2arrangement. In a yet further embodiment, the matrix may have threedimensions, such as a 2×2×2 arrangement. For example, a 2×2×2arrangement may form a cube of 8 isolated members that may each move atleast partially independently of one another due to the elasticconnections therebetween.

FIG. 7A depicts an embodiment according to the present disclosure thatmay be used in heavy machinery applications. FIG. 7B depicts anembodiment according to the present disclosure as applied to a rockcrushing machine. The embodiment illustrated in and elements describedin relation to FIGS. 7A and 7B are example combinations of suchelements, but contemplated combinations should not be consideredinclusive of all recited elements or exclusive of additional elements.Additional embodiments may describe additional elements, which may becombined with elements of any other embodiment described herein.

Vibration isolation device 700 includes a first isolated member 702 aand a second isolated member 702 b suspended from a support frame 704.The support frame 704 may comprise a plurality of side supports 706 anda top support 708. The first and second isolated members 702 a, 702 bmay each be suspended from a top support 708 by elastic suspensionmembers 710. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, elastic suspension members 710may comprise elastic sheets that connect to a portion of or asubstantially complete length of the first and second isolated members702 a, 702 b. The first and second isolated members may also beconnected to the plurality of side supports 706 and to one another byelastic dampening members 712, which may also comprise elastic sheetsthat connect to a portion of or a substantially complete height and/orof the first and second isolated members 702 a, 702 b. As is alsodepicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the vibration isolation device 700 may bemounted directly to a frame of a rock crushing machine as the sensitiveelectronic components are now vibrationally isolated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting a method 824 for the vibrationalisolation of electronic components. The method 824 may include housing826 electronic components in an isolated member located within a supportframe. The isolated member may be connected to the support frame by aplurality of elastic members, where at least two of the elastic membersare configured to apply forces having vectors at least about 90° fromone another. The method 824 may then include applying 828 an inputvibration to the support frame and absorbing 830 at least part of theenergy from the input vibration. Absorbing 830 at least part of theenergy from the input vibration may include displacing the isolatedmember away from an equilibrium position and restoring the isolatedmember to the equilibrium position such that restoring the isolatedmember takes more time that displacing the isolated member. In someembodiments, the kinetic of the input vibration and/or movement of theisolated member may be converted into heat in one or more of theplurality of elastic members. For example, the extension and contractionof the elastic members due to the input vibration and/or movement of theisolated member may be damped by the internal friction of the elasticmembers, which may in turn generate heat.

In some embodiments, the input vibration may be less than 200 Hz. Inother embodiments, the input vibration may be less than 100 Hz. In yetother embodiments, the input vibration may be less than 40 Hz. In yetfurther embodiments, the input vibration may be less than 15 Hz. Theinput vibration may include a plurality of vibrational modes. Forexample, an input vibration may include a first frequency and a secondfrequency. The first frequency may be about 10 Hz and the secondfrequency may be about 200 Hz. The 10 Hz frequency may relate tovibrations produced by rock being crushed, while the 200 Hz frequencymay relate to a drive motor or feed. In some embodiments, absorbing 830at least part of the energy from the input vibration may includereducing a first amplitude of the input vibration at or near the firstfrequency and reducing a second amplitude of the input vibration at ornear the second frequency by different amounts. For example, absorbing830 at least part of the energy from the input vibration may includereducing a first amplitude of the input vibration at or near the firstfrequency more than a second amplitude of the input vibration at or nearthe second frequency.

Testing of an embodiment similar to or the same as vibration isolationdevice 700 described in relation to FIGS. 7A and 7B indicates theefficacy of a vibration isolation device in accordance with the presentdisclosure. During operation of a rock crushing machine, a vibrationisolation device was connected to the machine. A vibration measurementdevice was mounted to directly to a support frame of the vibrationisolation device and to an isolated member of the vibration isolationdevice during. Maximum peak particle velocities (“PPV”) were measuredduring operation of the rock crushing machine in three axes(longitudinal, transverse, and vertical). PPV is a measurement of therate of movement of the sensor due to vibrations traveling through thesystem. It may also be thought of as a product of amplitude andfrequency of the vibrations traveling through the system.

Table 1 depicts the averaged values of tests depicting the reduction inPPV and, hence, measurable vibrations transmitted to the isolated memberduring operation of the rock crushing machine. The vibration measurementdevice was rotated 90° between data collection runs to minimize anysystemic variation within the vibration measurement device. The measuredvibrations at the support frame may be approximately equal to the inputvibrations from the rock crushing machine.

TABLE 1 Average PPV Measurement (inches/second) Location LongitudinalPPV Transverse PPV Vertical PPV Isolated Member 1.2315 3.7155 1.798Support Frame 1.549 4.2905 2.8975 % Reduction 20.50% 13.40% 37.95%

Table 2 depicts the associated change in dominant frequency in measuredvibration between the support frame and the isolated member. Thedominant frequency (DF) may shift toward a higher frequency due togreater dampening on the lower frequency (i.e., longer duration)vibrations applied to the support frame.

TABLE 2 Average Dominant Frequency Measurement (Hertz) LocationLongitudinal DF Transverse DF Vertical DF Isolated Member 11.25 11.1510.1 Support Frame 9.75 8.6 6.2

The increase in frequency is associated with a decrease in amplitudeindicated by the overall reduction in maximum PPV, as described. In atleast one embodiment, a vibration isolation device in accordance withthe present disclosure may therefore preferentially isolate lowfrequency vibrations. Testing data shows that while the isolated membermay experience an overall reduction in the vibrational energy and/ormovement relative to the input vibrations experienced by the supportframe, the isolated member experiences vibrational energy that ispreferentially reduced at lower frequencies, such as below 10 Hz.

The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there areone or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms“comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, anyelement described in relation to an embodiment herein may be combinablewith any element of any other embodiment described herein. Numbers,percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended toinclude that value, and also other values that are “about” or“approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the presentdisclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadlyenough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the statedvalue to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. Thestated values include at least the variation to be expected in asuitable manufacturing or production process, and may include valuesthat are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a statedvalue.

A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of thepresent disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes,substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosedherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional“means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structuresdescribed herein as performing the recited function, including bothstructural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalentstructures that provide the same function. It is the express intentionof the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functionalclaiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion,and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning andscope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.

The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used hereinrepresent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs adesired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms“approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amountthat is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. Further, itshould be understood that any directions or reference frames in thepreceding description are merely relative directions or movements. Forexample, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” aremerely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the relatedelements.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope ofthe disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for vibrational isolation, the devicecomprising: an isolated member; a support frame having an upper sectionand a lower section; one or more elastic suspension members supportingthe isolated member from the upper section of the support frame; and aplurality of elastic dampening members connecting the isolated member tothe support frame, wherein the plurality of elastic dampening membersare disposed on opposing sides of the isolated member.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more elastic suspension members have a firstmodulus of elasticity and the plurality of elastic dampening membershave a second modulus of elasticity, the first modulus of elasticitybeing greater than the second modulus of elasticity.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more elastic suspension members and theplurality of elastic dampening members comprise the same material. 4.The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elastic dampeningmembers further comprise upper elastic dampening members and lowerelastic dampening members.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the upperelastic dampening members have a second modulus of elasticity, and thelower elastic dampening members have a third modulus of elasticity, thesecond modulus of elasticity being greater than the third modulus ofelasticity.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising apre-tensioning mechanism configured to selectively apply a tension tothe plurality of elastic dampening members.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein the plurality of elastic dampening members are connected tocorners of the isolated member.
 8. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a secondary dampening mechanism configured to dampen anextension or a contraction of one or more of the plurality of elasticdampening members.
 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising aretention mechanism configured to limit movement of the isolated memberrelative to the support frame.
 10. A vibration isolation device for thevibrational isolation of electronic components, the device comprising,an isolated member; a support frame; and a plurality of elasticdampening members connecting the support frame to the isolated member,the plurality of elastic dampening members each configured to apply aforce to the isolated member, the force applied by each elasticdampening member having a vector component substantially opposing avector component of a force applied by another elastic dampening member.11. The device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of elastic dampeningmembers is disposed symmetrically about at least two reflection planes.12. The device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of elastic dampeningmembers are connected to the isolated member at one or more corners ofthe isolated member.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the pluralityof elastic dampening members is disposed symmetrically about a point ofinversion.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of elasticdampening members are configured to counteract swaying of the isolatedmember.
 15. The device of claim 10, further comprising one or moreelastic suspension members connecting the isolated member to the supportframe.
 16. The device of claim 10, further comprising one or moreextension mechanisms.
 17. A method for the vibrational isolation ofelectronic components, the method comprising: housing electroniccomponents in an isolated member, the isolated member disposed within asupport frame, the isolated member connected to the support frame with aplurality of elastic members, wherein at least two of the plurality ofelastic members are configured to apply tension forces having vectors atleast about 90° apart; applying an input vibration to the support frame;and absorbing at least part of an energy from the input vibration. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein absorbing at least part of the inputvibration comprises reducing a first amplitude of the input vibration ator near a first frequency and reducing a second amplitude of the inputvibration at or near the second frequency by different amounts.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the first frequency is less than about 40Hz.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first frequency is less thanabout 15 Hz.